the churchie emerging art prize

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the churchie emerging art prize

is Australia's longest running prize for emerging artists. The prize is judged by leading gallery directors and curators.

Established in 1987 the churchie emerging art prize is Australia’s longest running award for emerging artists. ‘the churchie’ is dedicated to promoting innovation and excellence across art encompassing all mediums and subjects. The annual non-acquisitive prize is an initiative of Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie). Artists from all Australian states and territories are selected as finalists

for the exhibition in a professional public gallery space, with the overall winner rewarded a $30,000 cash prize donated by long time sponsors BSPN Architecture

The prize offers professional development opportunities for emerging artists by showcasing their practice to peers, collectors, critics, museum curators, the media and the community at large. Finalists receive curatorial advice, networking and promotional opportunities, along with vital exposure on both a local and national stage. Previous winners include Nadia Hernandez, Caroline Gasteen, Pierre Mukeba, Sarah Morawetz, Michaela Gleave, and more.

28/05/2026

ANNOUNCING | 'the churchie' 2026 Judge

This year, ‘the churchie’ is pleased to announce that Jason Smith, Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), has been invited to judge the 2026 Finalists’ Exhibition and select the recipients of the Major Prize and Commendation Awards.

Reflecting on his invitation to judge ‘the churchie’ in 2026, Jason Smith shared:

“ ‘the churchie’ is an exhibition and prize that provides an exceptional opportunity to survey the sheer breadth of conceptual and material practices being developed by emerging artists. I am delighted to have been invited to act as judge in the 2026 Prize and I am looking forward to being taken into unexplored territories by an inspiring – and inspired – group of emerging artists.”

Read more about Jason Smith here churchieemergingart.com.au/news

‘the churchie’ 2026 Finalists’ Exhibition will be presented by Program Partner, Metro Arts, from 25 July – 8 August 2026.

Image: Jason Smith. Photograph by Josh Vanner, AGSA, 2025.

23/05/2026

FINAL CALL 🚨

The 2026 ‘the churchie’ entries are closing fast.

Get your submission in for the chance to be part of the finalists’ exhibition and compete for a $40,000 major prize sponsored by BSPN Architecture.

We’re excited to see the incredible work emerging artists across Australia are making right now.

🕔 Closing 11:59pm 24 May
🔔 $55,000 Prize Pool
🌟 Enter now via churchieemergingart.com.au

Image: ‘the churchie’ 2025 Finalists’ Exhibition (Installation view) at Metro Arts . Artwork by Joseph de la Hoyde, ‘The Birth of Maternal Grace’. Oil on canvas. Photograph by Dan McCabe

22/05/2026

2 DAYS TO GO 🔥

Just 2 days remaining to enter ‘the churchie’ for this year.

Submit your work by 24 May for the chance to be selected for the finalists’ exhibition — and be part of one of Australia’s leading emerging art prizes.

With a total prize pool of $55,000, we can’t wait to see what artists across Australia have been creating.

🕔 Closing 11:59pm 24 May
🔔 $55,000 Prize Pool
🌟 Further information at churchieemergingart.com.au

Image: ‘the churchie’ 2025 Finalists’ Exhibition (Installation view) at Metro Arts . Artwork by Emma Rani Hodges, ‘I'm more, I’m not forgotten parts’. Fabric, acrylic paint, staples and sequins. Photograph by Dan McCabe.

21/05/2026

The countdown is ON ⏳

There are only 3 days left to submit your entry to the 2026 ‘the churchie’ emerging art prize.

Enter by 24 May for the opportunity to be featured in the finalists’ exhibition and share in a $55,000 prize pool.

We are super keen to see what emerging artists across Australia are working on!

🕔 Closing 11:59pm 24 May
🔔 $55,000 Prize Pool
🌟 Full details at https://churchieemergingart.com.au/

Image: ‘the churchie’ 2025 Finalists’ Exhibition (Installation view) at Metro Arts . Artwork by Myarn Alden, ‘Nampijin’s Ngurra’, Acrylic on linen. Photograph by Dan McCabe.

20/05/2026

‘the churchie’ is made possible thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, who support the five prizes to be awarded.

The Major Prize is sponsored by BSPN Architecture, and this year, the prize is $40,000!

Last year, Melbourne/Naarm artist Melissa Nguyen was announced as the recipient of the prestigious non-acquisitive Major Prize for her work ‘The Last Great Dynasty’, exhibited alongside the companion piece ‘Royal Bloodlines’.

Melissa Nguyen is a Vietnamese Australian artist whose painting practice explores translation, cultural dissonance, and positionality within the Vietnamese diaspora. Through her work, she examines the complex relationship between copy and original, using ‘self-Orientalism’ as a conceptual framework to question the role of cultural identity in art.

Are you interested in the chance to be a 2026 prize recipient?

🕔 Closing 11:59pm 24 May
🔔 $55,000 Prize Pool
🌟 Details at churchieemergingart.com.au

Image: Melissa Nguyen, ‘Royal Bloodlines’, Rabbit skin glue on canvas. (Installation view). Photograph by Panisa Ongwat.

19/05/2026

Final call for entries for ‘the churchie’ 2026 ⭐

Applications close Sunday 24 May.

Be part of one of Australia’s leading contemporary art prizes, with finalists showcased in a curated exhibition at Metro Arts.

Featuring a $55,000 prize pool, ‘the churchie’ provides emerging artists with a platform to share their work with new audiences.

Artists can submit up to five works for consideration, with selected pieces included in the finalists’ exhibition.

Apply at churchieemergingart.com.au
⁠
🕔 Closing 11:59 pm 24 May
🔔 $55,000 Prize Pool
🌟 $40,000 Major Prize

Image: ‘the churchie’ 2025 Finalists’ Exhibition (Installation view) at Metro Arts .

17/05/2026

1 WEEK TO GO!

Entries for the churchie emerging art prize for 2026 close in 1 week! 🎉

Enter before 24 May for the chance to be a part of the finalists' exhibition at Metro Arts and be considered for a $55,000 prize pool

Thanks to our generous sponsors, there are 5 prizes on offer.
- Major Prize $40,000
- Special Commendation $5,000
- 2 x Commendations $2,500 each
- People's Choice $5,000

'the churchie' is open to all emerging Australian artists over 18 years, working in various media and with no restrictions on size or subject.

🕔 Closing 11:59pm 24 May
🔔 $55,000 Prize Pool
🌟 Find out more and enter at churchieemergingart.com.au

Image: ‘the churchie’ 2025 Finalists’ Exhibition (Installation view) at Metro Arts . Artwork by Lilli Waters, Maelstrom. Photography. Photograph by Dan McCabe.

14/05/2026

‘the churchie’ is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors, and we’re incredibly grateful to partner with VAULT Magazine.

A big thank you to VAULT for their continued commitment to championing emerging artists and contemporary practice.

Produced quarterly, VAULT identifies the pre-eminent artists, designers, collectors and enthusiasts in Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.⁠

Issue 54 (May – July) is out now, featuring our advert with artwork by Emma Rani Hodges, ‘I'm more, I’m not forgotten parts’. Fabric, acrylic paint, staples, sequins (Installation view). Photograph by Dan McCabe.

Entries are now open for ‘the churchie’ 2026!

🕔 Closes 11:59 pm 24 May
🔔 $55,000 Prize Pool
🌟 Full details at churchieemergingart.com.au

Image: VAULT Magazine | Issue 54

12/05/2026

Thanks to our amazing sponsors, 'the churchie' has several prizes on offer!

In 2025, Donina Asera was awarded one of the two Commendation Prizes, sponsored by Madison Facilities Services.

Donina Asera is a Melbourne-based artist who creates vibrant mythological narratives through distinctive visual storytelling. As a first-generation Australian with Dutch and Samoan heritage, she incorporates cultural elements into patterns that form her visual language.

Asera’s artwork ‘In the Garden’ shows a solitary god inhabiting a sacred space, bearing witness to the unfurling of a single bloom. This piece from the Idle Divine series contemplates the everyday humanity within divinity.

Enter today for the opportunity to be considered for this year's prizes in ‘the churchie’.

🕔 Closing 11:59pm 24 May
🔔 $55,000 Prize Pool
🌟 Further details and enter at churchieemergingart.com.au

Image: Donina Asera, ‘In the Garden’, Acrylic, pencil, and charcoal on canvas (installation view) at Metro Arts Photograph by Dan McCabe.

10/05/2026

2 WEEKS TO GO!

The call out for entries for ‘the churchie’ 2026 has reached its final 2 weeks!

Enter before 24 May for the chance to be considered for awards totalling $55,000

All prizes are non-acquisitive, with an Overall Major Prize of $40,000, a Special Commendation of $5,000, two Commendations of $2,500 each, and a People's Choice Prize of $5,000, which will be awarded at the end of the exhibition based on popular vote.

'the churchie' is open to all emerging Australian artists over 18, working in various media with no restrictions on size or subject.

🕔 Closing 11:59pm 24 May
🔔 $55,000 Prize Pool
🌟 Further details at churchieemergingart.com.au

Image: ‘the churchie’ 2025 Finalists’ Exhibition (Installation view) at Metro Arts . Artwork by Bianca Tainsh, Myc-a, 2023. Multiple species of flora, micro fauna, fungi, and other organic materials sourced from Tainsh’s Nature Refuge, custom fabricated acrylic terrarium, grow light, steel base on castors. Photograph by Dan McCabe.

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+61738966396

Website

http://churchieemergingart.com.au/

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